Diamonds

Ace of Diamonds: "The Little Red Hen"

A fable originally collected by Mary Mapes Dodge in 1874 but believed to have been a folk tale that possibly originated in Russia...

A fable originally collected by Mary Mapes Dodge in 1874 but believed to have been a folk tale that possibly originated in Russia and was passed down orally for many years. I depicted the red hen surrounded by the wheat that she tended to so diligently. This is my all-time favourite fable! It is a tale about consequence, self-reliance and the importance of hard work. In the end, the hen reigns victorious and all of the other characters get their just desserts. Ahhh, sweet vindication! You can read a version of the story here:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/18735/18735-h/18735-h.htm
You can read my synopsis and more of my thoughts on this amazing tale HERE.

Two of Diamonds: "The Ant and the Grasshopper"

Aesop fable #373. A chilly and regretful grasshopper is depicted in the lower diamond and his diligent, hard-working ant...

Aesop fable #373. A chilly and regretful grasshopper is depicted in the lower diamond and his diligent, hard-working ant counterparts are in the top. This fable is a reminder that one should plan wisely for the future and make good decisions in the present to avoid regrets later. You can read the tale here:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28/28-h/28-h.htm#chap36

Three of Diamonds: "Diamonds and Toads"

Fairy Tale by Charles Perrault first published in 1697. A reminder that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and that kindness will...

Fairy Tale by Charles Perrault first published in 1697. A reminder that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and that kindness will be rewarded. Two sisters: one rude but favoured by their mother and the other, kind yet hated by her, are put to a test by a fairy. The kind sister acts admirably and is gifted with the ability to have flowers and jewels fall from her mouth when she talks. The rude sister fails the fairy’s test and is instead cursed with having toads fall from her mouth whenever she speaks. I have to admit that if anything (even diamonds) came out of my mouth every time I spoke I would find it pretty annoying and disturbing. The kind sister didn’t seem to mind though. I have illustrated the titular diamonds and toads in my drawing and it seemed only fitting that this tale would fall into this card suit. Here is the tale:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/503/503-h/503-h.htm#link2H_4_0027

four of diamonds: "The Little Match Girl"

Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen first published in 1845. Perhaps the saddest fairy tale I’ve ever read. If you haven't read this...

Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen first published in 1845. Perhaps the saddest fairy tale I’ve ever read. If you haven’t read this story, do yourself a favour and don’t, unless you feel like having a heartfelt weep. I have illustrated the poor little match girl barefoot in the snow, staring into the flame of one of her burning matches with a shooting star above her while she thinks about her grandmother. In case you decide to ignore my warning, here is the depressing tale:
https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheLittleMatchGirl_e.html

five of diamonds: "The Wild Swans"

Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen first published in 1838. An evil stepmother, stepsons turned into swans, the banishment of a...

Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen first published in 1838. An evil stepmother, stepsons turned into swans, the banishment of a stepdaughter, a fairy queen, stinging nettles, a king, an archbishop and the threat of being burned at the stake; this fairy tale’s got it all! I have illustrated Elisa surrounded by her 11 brothers who have been turned into swans by her wicked stepmother. In the story she is tied to a stake and at the end it turns into flower blossoms. The flower in front of her is one of these blossoms. Although the flowers in the story are white I chose to make mine red to emphasize the diamonds.
https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheWildSwans_e.html

six of diamonds: "Chicken Little"

*LINK? Also known as “Henny Penny” or “Chicken Licken”. A fox, some fowl and a HUGE misunderstanding, not to mention a little...

Also known as “Henny Penny” or “Chicken Licken”. A fox, some fowl and a HUGE misunderstanding, not to mention a little peek at what goes on in the minds of birds (which if this tale has any truth to it, is extreme anxiety that can result in mass hysteria). The exact origin of this story is unknown but it was part of the oral tradition and was first published (in Danish) by Just Mathias Thiele in 1823. Many other versions were published shortly thereafter all with slightly different rhyming names for the animal characters and slight variations of the story and events. Illustrator John Greene Chandler’s 1840 version of the story seems to have the closest iterations to the names we are familiar with today (for example Goose Loose rather than Goosey Loosey and Fox Lox rather than Foxy Loxy). I do, however, believe most of the versions end with the fowl being eaten by the fox. I chose to illustrate a fallen acorn although in some versions of the story the falling object was a leaf, a pea or an unspecified nut.

seven of diamonds: "The Gingerbread Man"

This “cumulative tale” was first published in 1875. “Run, run, as fast as you can…..” this illustration features the Gingerbread Man and...

This “cumulative tale” was first published in 1875. “Run, run, as fast as you can…..” this illustration features the Gingerbread Man and the crafty fox who gobbled him up. Can you find all 7 diamonds? You can read my short synopsis and a brief history of gingerbread HERE

eight of diamonds: "The Adventures of Pinocchio"

Written by Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1883. Did you know that Pinocchio translates to "Pine-eye" (pino = pine and occhio = eye)...

Written by Italian author Carlo Collodi in 1883. Did you know that Pinocchio translates to "Pine-eye" (pino = pine and occhio = eye)? I’m happy they stuck with the original Italian name, “The Adventures of Pine-Eye” just doesn’t have the same ring to it! My version of Pinocchio is adorned with diamond buttons on a backdrop of the magical wood he was carved from. The 4 diamond frames feature the cricket, Pinocchio’s famous nose, the turquoise-haired Fairy and the fox and cat duo that try to rob Pinocchio. You can see a synopsis of the original tale here (spoiler alert: in this version Pinnocchio kills the cricket. Yikes!):
https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Adventures-of-Pinocchio

nine of diamonds: "Hansel and Gretel"

Fairy tale first published in 1812 by The Brothers Grimm. A witch, an oven, a candy house, two abandoned children and some good...

Fairy tale first published in 1812 by The Brothers Grimm. A witch, an oven, a candy house, two abandoned children and some good old fashioned attempted cannibalism. Wow, what a story! I have featured a quaint little candy cabin with Hansel and Gretel, the horrible witch and the infamous oven on the right.
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm015.html

ten of diamonds: "The Emperor’s New Clothes"

Hans Christian Andersen folk tale first published in 1837. Talk about a walk of shame, sheesh! This story of mass hysteria is a good...

Hans Christian Andersen folk tale first published in 1837. Talk about a walk of shame, sheesh! This story of mass hysteria is a good reminder to be honest and not succumb to arrogance, pride and denial. Otherwise, who knows, you may wind up proudly parading down a busy street naked but believing you are wearing a gorgeous outfit. It could happen….. My interpretation shows a very proud (and very naked) emperor marching before his subjects. Good thing those 10 strategically placed diamonds are there!
Hans Christian Andersen folk tale first published in 1837. Talk about a walk of shame, sheesh! This story of mass hysteria is a good reminder to be honest and not succumb to arrogance, pride and denial. Otherwise, who knows, you may wind up proudly parading down a busy street naked but believing you are wearing a gorgeous outfit. It could happen….. My interpretation shows a very proud (and very naked) emperor marching before his subjects. Good thing those 10 strategically placed diamonds are there!
https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheEmperorsNewClothes_e.html

jack of diamonds: "peter pan"

“Peter Pan and Wendy” by J.M. Barrie, book published in 1911. The character Peter Pan first appeared in Barrie’s 1902 novel "The...

A.K.A. “Peter Pan and Wendy” by J.M. Barrie; book published in 1911. The character Peter Pan first appeared in Barrie’s 1902 novel “The Little White Bird”. This illustration is inspired by the book which is in the public domain (not the play which is still under copyright). I have chosen to depict Peter with a pointy little elf ear, clothed in leaves and berries and watched over by his faithful fairy companion, Tinker Bell, whose fairy dust is surrounding him. As for symbols I have included the hook as well as the acorn and thimble from the story (those of you familiar with the story know that Peter and Wendy traded these items rather than a kiss).

queen of diamonds: "The Little Mermaid"

Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen first published in 1827. This was my very first playing card piece and the drawing that inspired...

Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen first published in 1827. This was my very first playing card piece and the drawing that inspired me to take on this enormous project, so I think this design will always be one of my favourites. In my original drawing the mermaid’s tail was covered in inky scales but I updated it and added diamonds to it when I decided she would be the matriarch of this suit. You can find my synopsis of the tale HERE, and the original story here:
http://hca.gilead.org.il/li_merma.html

king of diamonds: "Little Red Riding Hood"

Oral European folk tale which originated sometime before the 17th century. The most well-known publications are by Charles...

Oral European folk tale which originated sometime before the 17th century. The most well-known publications are by Charles Perrault in 1697 and subsequently by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. I have depicted Little Red Riding Hood inside the howling silhouette of the Big Bad Wolf. This illustration was one of the first I created for this series and happens to be one of my favourites. You can read my brief synopsis HERE, or the Brothers Grimm version here.
https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/LittRed.shtm l